ArtsPowered Schools
Telling Your Story

Develop a story about your project that you can share with others, as well as with the ICA. The story should be brief (two pages maximum), to the point, and understandable to a variety of audiences. Use the following questions to structure your story:

1. What did your project set out to do? What outcomes did you identify for your project?

Our goal for this art residency was to reintroduce artist Deana Attebery to our students and staff and to continue their knowledge of the art form of leather works. Through the leather working process with a professional artist, we planned for our students to further gain knowledge of the origin and history of leather work. We provided them the experience to use leather tools and to create their own leather projects. Mostly, we hoped to spark their interests in this art form so that they may choose to continue this art form after the residency.
2. What did the project accomplish? Who was served and how did they benefit?

The residency accomplished all our outcome goals. With the help of our artist Deana Attebery, the Fifth Grade core group learned how to braid a four-strand rope which they made into lariats and they used the leather stamping tools to make leather bracelets. Third and Fourth Grade students learned how to three-strand braid and stamp leather pieces which they put together into necklaces.
Using the prior knowledge of the Fifth Grade students who worked with Deana last year, these students paired up and worked with Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade students to complete a small leather tooled pendant.
3. How do you know that your project accomplished these things? What evaluation methods did you use?

We know our goals were accomplished because each and every elementary student was exposed to the art of leather working. The students were able to creatively experience and complete a project during the 3 day residency.
In keeping with our residency theme "Tools for the Trade", all students, kindergarten through fifth grade, were exposed to the tools used in leather working. The students were actively involved in the residency not only by making their own project, but by asking Deana questions and helping each other.
4. How will you share the results of your program with others?
(These might be other school personnel, parents, press/media, PTO/PTA,
local or state policy makers, etc.)



Our school hosted a community and family night where we invited members of our community, students and their families to enjoy a "Campfire Dinner". We introduced Deana Attebery, our professional artist to the families and friends who attended. She shared her love of leather crafting and displayed a large variety of her tooled and braided crafts. We then enjoyed and old fashioned cowboy dinner of chili and cheese with biscuits and homemade jams. We drank homemade root beer and finished our dinner with 'hard tack' (horhound candy).
After dinner, Deana taught a quick lesson in leather tooling, then Moms, Dads, students, teachers, and even the Mayor of Hazelton enjoyed tooling a key fob. Everyone enjoyed themselves and was impressed by their accomplishments.

Please attach photographs (please limit to 400 pixels wide) or other documentation that helps others to understand your project. Label the documentation with text that explains what it is and how it shows the project’s accomplishments.

image Artist Deana Attebery shares her leather work and braiding at our Community Night.
image Families enjoying our "Cowboy Dinner".
image Deana gives us a quick lesson on tools and procedures.
image Tooling our key fobs.
image Kaitland proudly displays her new key fob she is making.
                                              
Title for this story: 

Your Name:  
Your School or Organization:    
Date Submitted:  

Thank you.




                                                   Top of Page
                                                                 
logo image